THIRTY-THREE: ROBBERY & REALITY

THEODORE RAYMOND'S POV 

"Sir I have completed evaluating this file and changes have been registered. Also, the soft copy is in this pen drive." She kept the red pen drive over the file and forwarded it to me. Then, she clasped her hands in front of her, professionally.

Humming, I cornered the pen drive and picked up the file. The work was perfectly edited and made it visually easy to read with the usage of bolds and italics. I was utterly impressed by how fast she got accustomed to the new work life.

"And sir…" she said a bit with hesitancy. I kept my gaze focused on the file. "I'll have to leave early today."

"What time?" My voice held nonchalance but my eyes had stopped reading by that time.

"Six,"  

Bringing my wrist in front, I checked the time. 5:43, it showed. I nodded without looking at her and continued with my scanning. 

"If there is any work left then I'll complete it tomorrow. Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it." Her pitch was a decibel higher than normal.

I hummed back in response and she stood there waiting for a more legit reaction. When she realized that none was coming she sighed and quietly made it out of my office room, shutting the door behind her. 

Later, my eyes caught sight of a piece of paper after almost half an hour of my revising the final reports. 

<<Let's meet at Roger's Dinner House at seven. 

Yours,

Callum♡>>

A breezy laugh escaped my lips. So the afternoon drama wasn't enough? Did she really want me to believe in this shit? 

And that must have been the reason she seeks permission to leave early. Slowly, things started making sense. But a few questions floated in my mind, nonetheless. 

Was she really out with Mr. Hood or was she plotting this to draw a reaction out of me? 

To seek revenge because of yesterday's misunderstanding?

Or was she really dating him?

Is she gonna be safe with him?

Because as far as I have observed, Mr. Hood was a very laid back, disoriented person. Undoubtedly he had logic and his IQ was high but he radiated ignorance. 

Finding my thoughts getting scattered and myself growing restless, I listened to my instinct and dialed Mr. Carson's phone number. 

Carson, a dwarf man with a Ph.D. in stalking and twisting a matter for his convenience, was well known for his connections with journalists and the press. He always gave me first-hand knowledge about the whereabouts of my clients and business partners. Cleverness and manipulative were the words I'd personally use to describe him; working as a catalyst- not getting involved himself but sucking out information and smelling controversies was his left-hand work.

"Meet me in my parking in fifteen minutes." I summoned him. 

"Sure, Mr. Raymond." He rolled out the words with sugar-coating and over smartness.  

Next, I called my driver to tell him to pull out the car. 

Wrapping up the work at hand in almost five minutes, I called my Hitchman. He helped me get into my blazer and escorted me to my car, carrying my briefcase. 

"Good night, sir." He politely said. Nodding, I entered my car and inhaled deeply. Mr. Carson too entered the car and the driver pulled into the streets. 

"So sir... May this little man know why you remembered me?" His voice was sickeningly sweet and shrill. One could have misinterpreted it to be sincere.

"You have to record a live video of someone for me," I replied in a straightforward way. 

"Who this person might be... I wonder." He tested pushing his limits.

"None of your concern Mr. Carson," I replied dismissively, implying that it was the end of the topic.

His face dropped and he thankfully zipped up his lips. 

"Sir we are at the location." My driver informed me. 

The sun was down the horizon and the dark clouds engulfed the sky. 6:53 my watch showed.

"Pull up your pants and begin your work, Carson." Nodding, he exited the car and crossed the road to get closer to the restaurant. 

I pulled out a tip and handed it to my driver. "Go and have something to eat." He nodded in gratitude and left the car. Now that I was alone in the car, I looked over towards the restaurant. The walls were made of glass which was see-through and above was a red board shining with lights. It read 'Roger's Dinner House.' The place looked, quite middle class. 

*Ping*

Instantly, I went to the link Carson sent and opened it. The buzzing noise of the streets filled the space in the car unlike the calmness of the car previously. 

"Sir, ma'am has arrived. She's alone." His voice whispered. 

"I can see that Carson. I suppose I didn't hire you to give me live commentary. Do what you should be doing and keep your mouth shut." I hissed into the microphone area, hoping Aurellia won't become suspicious. She was a smart lady after all. 

She was dressed in a denim skirt and jacket set with a black high neck. I noticed that she wasn't wearing heels. She looked ravishing. Her waist was slender and her dress wasn't revealing. Rather whatever she wore, she owned it with dignity and class unlike general sluts of the society. I felt a pang of pain in my heart when I thought about how it was not dedicated to me but someone else. 

Pushing aside the thought, I focused on the work. It was 7:05 and she was impatiently tapping her foot against the ground. Her hair would fly to the open direction when she would crane her neck to have a glimpse of her date. 

What a gentleman he was!

Making a lady waiting for him.

I scoffed. Then the camera was shifted to capture a running Callum with a single rose in his hand.

Carson zoomed the camera and I sank back into the seat relishing the fact that he was being safe. I could faintly make out what they were talking about. Looking out of the window, I caught Carson hiding well behind a tree near the restaurant.

"You are late," Aurellia deadpanned. 

"I'm fashionably late." He smirked. "I mean, I definitely didn't want to miss looking at you for five minutes but I forgot about picking up a bouquet so I had to sneak into someone's garden to steal a rose. Please accept it." 

She accepted it emotionlessly, still looking fazed by his late arrival. Callum extended his arm, gesturing for her to move first. "Ladies first," he said.

Rolling her eyes, she strode inside the restaurant. I swear I could feel my blood boiling when he checked out her butt and sighed satisfactorily. They chose a seat in the middle of the restaurant and I could no longer hear their conversations. 

"Sir, should I follow them inside?" 

"No need. Just keep the video playing." 

Unlike what I expected, he pulled out the chair for her before slipping into his. I kept my unblinking gaze trained on them. Time passed as they talked and laughed occasionally. I wondered how her laugh would sound, her voice lapping and molding into my ears. Because it looks beautiful, the way she threw her head back with no worry and the side of her eyes crinkled. 

I don't remember zoning out, but when I put one and one together I found myself staring at the driver's seat with a smile on my lips. 

"Sir! Your wife has been off to the washroom for almost seven minutes. I can sense that something is wrong." 

"As I said to you earlier, just film them. Don't utter a word." 

A wave of worry passed over, clenching my gut. Before I could think I received a call from one of my snobby clients. It took me at least ten minutes to make him believe that his company won't be at a loss if they choose to work with us. Even after resolving the matter the setting of the restaurant, mostly the table on which they sat, didn't change. I brought the phone closer to my eyes to see if my phone was stuck or what but no, it was working perfectly fine and other people were chatting and moving. Callum was glued to his phone laughing to himself. 

And Aurellia was still missing from the scenario. 

Panicking, I jumped out of my car. When I stepped into the restaurant, I was panting and everyone's eyes snapped towards me. Callum was still unfazed but he soon came to his consciousness when he was the only one laughing while looking at his phone. 

As if on queue, all eyes flicked to him. He looked horrified when his eyes met mine. Covering the distance in a couple of strides, I hauled him up by his collar.

"Where is she?" I breathed out, my teeth grazing each other.

"Wa-washroom." Pushing him off with such an intensity that he landed on the ground, I ran towards the washroom after seeking help from the waiters. My heart was practically thumping in my ribcage with the uncertainty of what might have happened to her. 

Twisting the knob I was about to rush in but my heart dropped when it was locked. I pressed my ear to the door and I could hear whimpers and screech of Aurellia and manly grunts. 

Now wasting any more time, I started banging the door with my shoulder. Callum arrived right after me and we both broke open the door within seconds. 

Lia was on the ground.

Her purse was torn and mobile in a corner. 

Robbery.

A fat man has a metallic box that was about to collide with Aurellia's head. 

Everything was happening in slow motion. 

But I seemed to run, feeling as if I was floating in the air. Soon I grabbed the arm of that filthy man, time took its pace back to normal and the man slid to the corner resulting in him banging his head to the sink. The metallic thing fell on the ground, echoing in the large room.

Aurellia fainted right after that not being able to overcome the shock.

I slid one hand under her legs and others held her back. 

"I might have let you go right now Mr. Hood but make you don't let this motherfucker escape." I voiced out eyeing the man looking with tremendous fear in his eyes, before exiting the restaurant and curious gazes of nosey people. 

I told the driver to call for another car and drive Carson home. Placing Aurellia in the car and securing her with the safety belt I walked over to my side. 

:

:

I laid Aurellia gently on her bed and removed her shoes on by one. Taking her head delicately in my hand I slipped off the jacket with the other. I contemplated for a second if I should take off her clothes to check if she got hurt anywhere or not. One thing that I was sure about was that she would have never permitted me to do it if she was conscious of her surrounding. But again, I just can't ignore the fact that she was with a thief for quite some time and I can't trust that he wouldn't have tried anything to hurt her anywhere.

Taking a breath and running my fingers through my hair I sighed in defeat. 

Maybe she would understand tomorrow when I told her that I was doing it to ensure that she was fine. 

After I peeled off all her clothes, I looked at how pale her skin was. She was wearing a matching dark blue silk undergarment set. For a second I felt like how much my skin was awaiting to have hers close to mine, pressed upon mine, melting into mine. 

I pushed the thoughts regarding the reality of the situation, which was very hard if you ask me, I sat and stared at her. Something caught my sight. Leaning further, I witnessed a long brown line running an inch above her underwear to three inches below it. I let my fingers trace over it, not being able to help myself. After a second, I quickly pulled away and got up.

No, Theo. You are taking advantage. 

I roamed her room with the hope to find her a shirt to wear the night. But, unable to find one I decided to get one of mine. Pulling out a grey shirt from my wardrobe, I walked to her room and shut the door behind me with my foot. 

Again, I had to lift her torso up and gently put the shirt above her head and then adjust her arms as she leaned on my shoulder. Letting her sleep back, I pulled the blanket over her sleeping frame. 

She looked so innocent. Sometimes I wonder if what I was doing was right or not. Was she really the bad one?

The next thing I did was grab a cleansing wipe from her washroom and clean her face. Along with her face, I also wiped her neck and arms and legs. I removed the stray locks of hair from her serene face and tucked them behind her ears. Her lips were parted as she breathed through her mouth. Having this dire urge to close the gap between our lips-

I stopped. I wanted to at least kiss her forehead but then decided against it because I knew I could never be this man when she's awake.

For me, her family tore my family apart. I was left with nothing just because her dad was greedy for money. They were so blinded by this that what was right and what was not; they could no longer decide it. Aurellia was one of them. Ruthless, determined, and ready to plunge into a war which was not for good. 

I say so because like every sane and virtuous normal girl she could have opted for a better career. She had even studied and had degrees which many might not even be able to achieve but she chose the easy way. It was dangerous and risky but she retrieved more money from it. She was also greedy and selfish just like her parents. That's why she agreed to marry a total stranger just for money. It all revolved around money. 

Finally, I took my position on the floor and brought my knees up to my chest. She laid right in front of me having no idea about the fight I was having with my brain and my heart. 

I couldn't leave her atleast for some hours to ensure he's healthy and sleeping on the same bed wasn't something she'll like. And I respected that. Aurellia didn't like being touched normally and she'd start squirming, pleading internally to let her go. It's like she wanted human contact yet she'd flinch everytime I'd touch her.

Taking a deep breath, I wondered… how always I forced my brain to think everything wrong about her. But my heart, it always said otherwise. I never listen to my heart. It was sensitive, too generous. After all, I got my mother's genes too. 

And for a man who had responsibility for so many people, I couldn't have possibly let my heart reign. People would walk over my heart full of kindness, living it barren and lifeless. That's how the world was but I knew better how to deal with it. I knew how to fight and not run away. Because I can run away from situations or problems but I could never run away from my own thoughts which would beckon me a coward. The one which would hunt me in my sleep. I wouldn't be able to die peacefully.

And here I was, running away from my feeling for this self-absorbed, conceited woman who made my heart skip a beat and come to life and have … hope for something which can't happen. 

***

Everything has an end.

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